Abstract: How many operations do we need on average to compute an approximate root of a random Gaussian polynomial system? Beyond Smale's 17th problem that asked whether a polynomial bound is possible, we prove a quasi-optimal bound . This improves upon the previously known bound.

The new algorithm relies on numerical continuation along rigid continuation paths. The central idea is to consider rigid motions of the equations rather than line segments in the linear space of all polynomial systems. This leads to a better average condition number and allows for bigger steps. We show that on average, we can compute one approximate root of a random Gaussian polynomial system of equations of degree at most in homogeneous variables with continuation steps. This is a decisive improvement over previous bounds that prove no better than continuation steps on average.

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